At just 2.5 square miles, Calistoga boasts some of the most beautiful wineries, tastiest restaurants, and luxurious accommodations in the region.
DAY 1
8:30 a.m. – Rise and shine in your uber modern room at Solage Calistoga , a sprawling resort nestled between vineyards. Grab a robe and walk out onto your patio with a cup of coffee in hand. Read the paper, and then get dressed in clothes suitable for a day of exercise. Slather on a layer of sunscreen, bring a few bottles of water and remember your sunglasses and hat.
Walk to the resort’s main building and belly up to a table at Solbar , Solage’s on-site eatery. Don’t leave without ordering a plateful of the lemon-ricotta pancakes, the uptown breakfast sandwich and the duck confit hash. If you are really hungry this morning, the cinnamon sugar donut holes are to die for (they are cooked to order).
10:00 a.m. – Drive into downtown Calistoga and park your car near 1133 Washington Street. Walk into the Visitors Center and up to the counter at Getaway Adventures. Here, you will meet your guide for a multi-hour bike tour of the region. Biking through Wine Country is one of the best ways to really experience the landscape; this tour ($149/person) will take you to three or four wineries for tastings and include a picnic lunch in a scenic spot. Make sure to bring your camera for this experience—great holiday photos are waiting for you!
3:30 p.m. – Roll up to the Visitors Center with your group, tired and happy from a full day of wine tasting. Swig another bottle of water and then drive back to Solage Calistoga for some well-deserved rest.
Back in your suite, change into your bathing suit and head out to the property’s incredible 130-foot pool. Relax on one of the chairs and cool off in the water. From there, walk into the spa for some real relaxation. Pro tip: When you call ahead to make a reservation, ask about the mineral and mud treatments—Calistoga’s soil and water are known for its healing properties.
6:30 p.m. – Fully rested and feeling fabulous, change into some nice dinner clothes and drive into downtown Calistoga. Park near 1457 Lincoln Avenue and walk into JoLe a popular, family-owned American restaurant (advance reservations are highly recommended). Start your experience with the local heirloom tomatoes and watermelon salad, then make sure to try the warm smoked trout salad and San Francisco Bay ling cod. Ask about the tasting menu option and the best wine parings for each course. End your night with a serving of the chocolate caramel cake and coconut cream pie. Trust me, you will want to lick your plate.
DAY 2
9:30 a.m. – Wake up, dress in a similar outfit as yesterday (sporty clothing, hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes) and drive three miles to Calistoga Kitchen for breakfast. The menu here changes frequently, but if you can, be sure to order the hash of the day, French toast, and huevos rancheros. Wash it down with some Taylor Maid Farms coffee—delicious!
10:30 a.m. – Walk north up Lincoln Avenue until you hit Cal Mart, a popular area grocery store. Get in line for the deli—don’t worry, you won’t be eating quite yet—and order a few sandwiches to go. Purchase bottles of water on your way out, too.
11:00 a.m. – Drive to Bothe-Napa Valley State Park and get ready for some fun in the California sun (wearing a hat, of course). Load up your backpack with sandwiches and water and look for signs for the Coyote Peak Trail. This is a 4.5-mile loop trail that includes incredible views of canyons and the entire Napa Valley. Bring your camera, a sturdy pair of hiking boots and your appetite for adventure. Stop along the way to have a picnic and maybe throw a Frisbee.
2:00 p.m. – Tuckered out from your hike, drive back to Solage Calistoga, shower and change. Then, pack up your belongings, check out and drive four miles down Silverado Trail to Calistoga Ranch, where you will be staying the night.
Calistoga Ranch is a special property in Napa Valley as it is far away from civilization, inside a canyon and on 157 acres. Get comfortable in your lodge, and maybe even take a dip in the private hot tub on your terrace.
3:00 p.m. – Once settled, participate in one of the many activities offered to guests at Calistoga Ranch (note: reserve these experiences well in advance). Some offerings include painting classes in a vineyard, shadowing a winemaker for a day and even attending a photography class around the resort’s grounds.
6:30 p.m. – Walk back to your room and change into some dinner clothing. Then, grab a seat (reservations are recommended) at The Lakehouse, Calistoga Ranch’s fine dining restaurant. The four-course price fix menu will cost you $120 per person, but it is worth every penny. Get ready to savor sweet corn tortelloni, rabbit, garden lettuces, roasted game hen and smoked fudge (yes, that is a thing). Spending time at the quiet Lakehouse is an experience you will remember forever.
DAY 3
9:30 a.m. – Wake up late this morning, enjoy a hot cup of coffee and then check out of Calistoga Ranch. Drive into the city’s cute downtown again and grab some breakfast to-go at Calistoga Roastery (the breakfast sandwiches are especially tasty).
From there, stroll around the streets of downtown and peak into shops such as Calistoga Potteryand Copperfield’s Books (great place to grab a book for the road—you might even see a famous author).
This article comes to us courtesy of the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee. Each week the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee features a #Perfect50 Hours series detailing how to spend 50 hours in a different San Francisco Bay Area city.
